Closed loop coolant temperature ctrl w/ map controlled thermostat

[NickRP]

We will be using map controlled thermostat and would like to have a closed loop coolant temperature regulation, based on a setpoint formed by certain process variables (like environmental temperature, thermal load etc).
Can Thunder do that? Electrically it can do pwm on the thermostat heater (it's 1 Amp max) without problems, but is there an available control loop to do the actual regulation?

On another matter, are there any plans to allow customers to add their own control code for any further Link ECU? In OEM world this is actually quite common (with OEMs being customers), and it would be a real advantage also for the motorsport use, as it is in general hardly manageable to have one firmware that suits all applications without being very heavy on ecu resources...

[Adamw]

57 minutes ago, NickRP said:

We will be using map controlled thermostat and would like to have a closed loop coolant temperature regulation, based on a setpoint formed by certain process variables (like environmental temperature, thermal load etc).
Can Thunder do that? Electrically it can do pwm on the thermostat heater (it's 1 Amp max) without problems, but is there an available control loop to do the actual regulation?

There are no user definable PID strategies for general purpose outputs, I cant think of any way you could do this.  Only open loop based on a 3D duty cycle table.

 

59 minutes ago, NickRP said:

On another matter, are there any plans to allow customers to add their own control code for any further Link ECU? In OEM world this is actually quite common (with OEMs being customers), and it would be a real advantage also for the motorsport use, as it is in general hardly manageable to have one firmware that suits all applications without being very heavy on ecu resources...

I dont believe there are any plans to offer such a device at this time.

[Ducie54]

8 hours ago, NickRP said:

We will be using map controlled thermostat and would like to have a closed loop coolant temperature regulation, based on a setpoint formed by certain process variables (like environmental temperature, thermal load etc).
Can Thunder do that? Electrically it can do pwm on the thermostat heater (it's 1 Amp max) without problems, but is there an available control loop to do the actual regulation?

 

On my setup I use a 3d table to PWM an engine water pump. After a lot of testing I found using the temp output from the radiator and ECT the best way to control the pump. Takes into account out side temp and vechile speed. Would recommend you try that way to control the thermostat. Ive also connected a 2nd Digital output to the same soild state relay as an override. So if I'm at a set TPS or boost range the pump goes to 100%. After a bit of testing during different conditions I can keep the ECT within 2deg in all situations. 

[NickRP]

21 hours ago, Adamw said:

There are no user definable PID strategies for general purpose outputs, I cant think of any way you could do this.  Only open loop based on a 3D duty cycle table.

Thanks, that's an option for sure. Since the engine is normally aspirated, is there a slight chance of misusing boost control PID loop to do what we are after? I don't really care whether the displayed units in tables etc are being physically correct, as long as I could have a chance to define variable coolant temperature setpoint and adjust PID parameters.

 

21 hours ago, Adamw said:

I dont believe there are any plans to offer such a device at this time.

That's a pity, but I can understand. However, I believe the first supplier who offers the option of allowing customers to create their own plugins might get some decent sales out of it. May I kindly ask you to pass the suggestion to the managers... Who knows...

 

13 hours ago, Ducie54 said:

... Ive also connected a 2nd Digital output to the same soild state relay as an override. So if I'm at a set TPS or boost range the pump goes to 100%. After a bit of testing during different conditions I can keep the ECT within 2deg in all situations. 

Excellent suggestion, the combination of two outputs to control one accessory gives a great deal of flexibility indeed. Would you mind sharing an example of your 3d PWM as function of ECT and radiator output calibration?

My concern is that, given the time constant of the map controlled thermostat (roughly two orders of magnitude bigger than a PWM controlled pump) and having a P only control loop, finding the right set of parameters for different conditions might prove very tedious... I hope I am wrong.
 

[JMP]

1 hour ago, NickRP said:

That's a pity, but I can understand. However, I believe the first supplier who offers the option of allowing customers to create their own plugins might get some decent sales out of it. May I kindly ask you to pass the suggestion to the managers... Who knows...

Doesn't Motec already offer this with their M1 Development ECU's?

[NickRP]

53 minutes ago, JMP said:

Doesn't Motec already offer this with their M1 Development ECU's?

It does, indeed. My personal opinion is that the licensing model behind makes the package less attractive to individual customers, as the cost can only be justified if one is really in business of developing custom code for that particular ecu type and has a good base of customers, most likely active in professional motorsport... As mentioned, that's my opinion, others might see that differently, of course.

[Ducie54]

Since they don't update there firmware close too or after the next model certain LINK dealers or tech guys should be allowed to purchase the rights to update firmware/software for themself or anyone else. Not everyone can afford to update to the newest model each time.